2026 World Cup breaks attendance record amid criticism of record carbon footprint

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has become the most‑attended tournament in football history, surpassing five million spectators. FIFA reported a total attendance of 5,048,079, with a single‑day high of 426,834 fans on 25 June and an average stadium occupancy of 99.7 % across the expanded 48‑team, 104‑match format.

Environmental groups estimate the tournament will generate about 9 million tonnes of CO₂, roughly double the emissions of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Around 85 % of the carbon footprint is attributed to air travel for teams, officials and fans, as the three‑nation hosts lack extensive high‑speed rail links. Critics also warn of extreme heat risks for players and spectators, noting that many host cities could see wet‑bulb temperatures exceeding 28 °C.

FIFA has pledged to adjust match times and introduce hydration breaks to mitigate heat concerns, while observers call for stronger climate actions as the tournament proceeds toward its knockout stages.